TEXT OF STORY
STEVE CHIOTAKIS: The German government has moved to
improve privacy laws in that country. Several high-profile companies in Deutschland recently
were caught using digital technology to keep tabs on workers. Now Germans were spooked by that — and they’ve pushed for the new law that would stop the employer from checking out your Facebook page.
The BBC’s Eric Graydon reports.
ERIC GRAYDON: Companies can no longer read employees’ private e-mails — and employers can no longer “friend” potential employees on Facebook in order to see a job candidate’s personal profile.
But employers say limited security options for companies would seriously damage their ability to look out for their own interests.
Worker from German Employers Association: Fighting crime and corruption cannot be made more difficult. If there is concrete suspicion of an illegal act targeted video surveillance still has to be an option.
Germans care deeply about their privacy. After all, this is a country where people haven’t just complained about cars driven by Google to photograph streets and buildings. Google’s tires were slashed — and their cameras disabled.
In London, I’m the BBC’s Eric Graydon for Marketplace.
CHIOTAKIS: By the way, the German parliament must still approve that law.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
